Daisy BickingDaisy Haven Farm, Parkesburg, PA 19365

Easy application of Maggot Debridement Therapy to treat chronic abscesses in laminitic horses

Further informationPlease visit www.daisyhavenfarm.com for more information, or contact me at 610-476-6900 or daisyhavenfarm@gmail.com.

IntroductionHoof infections are often the cause of euthanasia in the chronic laminitis horse, especially those whose immune reactions are compromised by Cushing’s syndrome or insulin resistance. Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) can be an effective treatment for such infections (Jurga and Morrison 2004), but unfortunately the procedure is underutilized because it is perceived as difficult and expensive.

This poster displays the ease with which MDT can be applied, and summarizes the effectiveness of the procedure.

1. Medical maggots (Monarch Labs)

2. Supplies needed 3. Place maggots into wound

4. Cover with chiffon gauze creating window

5. Secure with Elastikon

6. Composite rim shoe adds height above dressing

9. 4x4” gauze and diaper absorb exudate

11. Secure diaper with vet tape

12. Not too tight at coronet band

13. Wrap with duct tape 14. Within 3-5 days maggots mature

15. Flush maggots out with CleanTrax

AcknowledgementsI would like to thank Fran Jurga for her support and encouragement, and the Penn Vet Laminitis Institute for hosting this conference and opening the poster forum to allow me the opportunity to present this information to my peers. I would also like to thank Dr Karen Gellman, Dr Judith Shoemaker, Stacie Shain, and Terry Boswell for reviewing my poster. Photograph of adult green bottle fly courtesy John Talbot.

ConclusionsMaggot Debridement Therapy is an incredibly useful tool when fighting hoof infection in the chronically laminitic horse. The availability of a less expensive, easier method means Maggot Debridement Therapy is more accessible for more animals and can also be applied in the field by the veterinarian, hoof-care provider, or the animal’s other care-givers when prescribed.

BEFORE AFTER

Literature citedJurga F, and S Morrison. 2004. Maggot debridement therapy. Hoofcare &

Lameness 78:28-31.Sherman, RA, H Stevens, D Ng, and E Iversen. 2007. Treating wounds in

small animals with maggot debridement therapy: a survey of practitioners. Veterinary Journal 173:138-43.

Materials and methods“PW” was a 19 year-old mare with chronic hoof infections in both front feet. Infections were exposed, then subjected to the protocol detailed in the photographs below. Larvae (Phaenicia sericata) were obtained from Monarch Labs in Irvine, CA.

After a second course of maggots, site was kept covered until it had dried and keratinized, approximately 6 weeks from start of treatment.

ResultsAs illustrated by the images here, MDT aided in the removal of the necrotic and infected tissue, and new healthy tissue was able to grow.

Including “PW,” our hoof-care practice has used MDT to successfully resolve conditions in 15 horses since November 2009.

7. Attach composite rim shoe with Elastikon

8. Leave window in gauze accessible

10. Change 4x4” gauze and re-wrap daily

Thursday, October 27, 2011